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Chat Reel: Debbie Ryan
UVa coach ready for Cavs' season to begin
Posted: Tuesday October 31, 2000 3:40 PM
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Debbie Ryan: "I think the main thing about being able to beat Tennessee is to know you can beat them before you take the floor." Jim Gund/Allsport |
CNNSI Host: Welcome to today's chat with Virginia coach Debbie Ryan. Thanks for joining us Coach.
Debbie Ryan: It's really a pleasure to be here today. I'm very excited for the season to start, and to have a chance to hear the fans' interpretation of things, and get them involved in the game again.
From avlav: hi Coach Ryan....ex- Charlottesville resident here, can't count how many great games I saw at U-Hall! What is the outlook for this season?
Debbie Ryan: Well, right now, we have a very positive outlook. We have three players that the program is built around... those are Svetlana Volyna, Telisha Quarles, and Schuye LaRue. Now, what we're trying to figure out is what our point guard position will be like. Once we settle that, we'll have a strong team. We'll still run and play pressure defense.
From Lauren K. Scott in Fredericksburg, Va.: Coach Ryan, Let me first tell you that you as a female coach in a male-dominated arena are making an explosive impact on the evolution of women's basketball! Keep up the good work and good luck in the season! :) How do you as a coach get your team mentally and physically prepared to step out on the court each night and play above expectations?
Debbie Ryan: I think a lot of that work is done prior to the actual evening when they're playing the game. Finding ways to motivate players is an art, not a science. You have to really work hard to realize that each player is different, and each player has a different response to different ways of motivating them. I spend a great deal of time figuring out what motivates each player, and how to talk to each player, that will get them to reach their potential. My first way to approach that is in practice, because that's where you see whether it works or not. If each player is motivated, usually your team can be successful.
From Susan in Charlotte, N.C.: What will the keys be to defeating Duke since they've been picked to win the ACC again?
Debbie Ryan: Well, it's hard to say right now, because we have not seen Duke play this year, but we were fortunate to beat Duke one time last year. They're a different team this year, so the keys will be different. I'll have to reserve the answer to that until later, when I've had a chance to see Duke compete.
From Mark Williams in Philadelphia, Pa.: Do you still talk to Dawn Staley much? What advice do you have for her now that she's joined the coaching ranks?
Debbie Ryan: Yes, I do talk to Dawn all the time. She calls every once in a while to just touch base. But as far as advice, I think Dawn will be an excellent floor coach, and my only advice to her is to not get too caught up in what goes on off the court. That's usually the toughest part of coaching.
From ladyhooper: Do you think the WNBA will ever consider lowering the rims? They already play with a smaller ball, so it's not like it is an issue of integrity of the game.
Debbie Ryan: No, I don't think they'll ever lower the rims. I think we'll have to rise to the height of the rims as they are now.
From avlav: seems that almost every year, Tennessee is the main obstacle to higher goals...any secret ingredient to finally get over that 'summit'?
Debbie Ryan: I think the main thing about being able to beat Tennessee is to know you can beat them before you take the floor. Unfortunately, they stopped our run in the NCAA tournament last year. We entered that game, though, not really believing that we'd win in the first place. Confidence has a lot to do with it.
From what: What do you find to be the toughest part of coaching?
Debbie Ryan: Probably the toughest part of coaching is the overall time commitment. Sometimes, it's the travel involved. It's an extremely demanding profession in terms of time. You really have very little personal time, when you're coaching.
From Melissa Howard in Roanoke, Va.: How have you been feeling since your surgery?
Debbie Ryan: I've been feeling fine. I recovered very quickly, much quicker than anyone expected. I've been working full time for about five or six weeks now. I appreciate that question.
From GYMCOACH: Coach Ryan, In what specific ways did your education at Ursinus College best prepare you for coaching at the division one college level?
Debbie Ryan: I had excellent coaches at Ursinus, and I got an excellent education all the way around. But I would say that my overall athletic experience there helped me in numerous ways to be prepared for what I face today.
From jayhawkfan: Do you consider yourself as more of a recruiter or a coach? Which is more taxing on you?
Debbie Ryan: I don't think I could separate the two, but I know I'm a good recruiter, and as the seasons have gone on, I've become a better and better coach.
From avlav: Has UVA ever considered foreign recruitment, as your ex-assistent Geno does at UConn?
Debbie Ryan: Yes, as we have three foreign players on our team right now. We have two players from Belarus, and one from Australia. We now recruit globally. The United States is no longer the limit to our college recruiting.
From jayhawkfan: Where do you rate OU's Sherri Coale among the top women's coaches today?
Debbie Ryan: Well, Sherrie is one of the top women's coaches today, no doubt about it. I've never thought of rating the coaches, but Sherrie is a great coach, a good tactical coach, a very good recruiter, and she's turned around a tough program. So, that would make her one of the top coaches in the country.
From Jeff Colson in Greensboro, N.C.: Who could be some of the surprises in the ACC?
Debbie Ryan: I would say that a team like Georgia Tech, with the return of Neisha Butler, will be making some waves. Along with that, I'd say Florida State and Maryland will be surprises in our conference. All three teams have excellent talent, and now they have experience.
From Patricia in Charleston, S.C.: Have you ever considered coaching in the WNBA?
Debbie Ryan: Very briefly. I have been spoken to about coaching in the WNBA, and as many know, the president of the WNBA, Cal Ackerman, was my first scholarship athlete, but I have never seriously considered leaving Virginia.
From Ilikehoops: Do you think we will ever see a female coach a men's basketball team?
Debbie Ryan: Very definitely. I think that's not very far down the road.
From Gino: Have you had much interaction with Leon Barmore?
Debbie Ryan: I do have interaction with Coach Barmore... he's a good friend, an excellent person, and obviously one of the top coaches in our field. I think sometimes people look at coaches, and don't know what kind of people they are. I can say that Coach Barmore is one of the best people I've ever met. He cares for his players, and everyone who works for him.
From what: Who has been your coaching mentor?
Debbie Ryan: I've had a lot of them. I grew up watching the men's ACC while I was first starting at Virginia. Terry Holland was the men's coach then, and I learned a great deal from him. People like Dean Smith, and Mike Krzyzewski, and my all time favorite has been Phil Jackson.
From Kent: Hey Debbie! I'm a UVA fan here in Ohio. What is your most memorable season?
Debbie Ryan: Wow... Well, my most memorable season was the 1991 season, where we went all the way to the final game in the Final Four, and lost in the only overtime game ever in NCAA history, and lost to Tennessee. But the season was very memorable for many, many reasons.
CNNSI Host: That's all the time we have today with Coach Ryan. Thanks for joining us.
Debbie Ryan: Thanks a lot.
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